Sports Physicals
What Does Getting a Sports Physical Mean?
- Ensure your child is prepared for vigorous physical activity
- Gather information on your child’s health and development
- Watch for potential warning signs of serious illness
- Meet the requirements of your child’s school, camp, or sports team
- Identify possible risk factors with a certain sport
- Receive advice on avoiding injuries
The purpose of a sports physical is to ensure your child can safely participate in athletic activities. Jumping suddenly into high-intensity workouts or competitive sports can worsen an existing condition or lead to preventable injuries, which a thorough exam can help identify. While a sports physical may occasionally uncover an issue that prevents participation, more often it provides valuable guidance. The exam helps our providers detect treatable concerns and determine if your child needs additional training to safely prepare for their sport.
Sports physicals may be combined with your well-child checkup. The goal of these visits is to:
Regular well-child visits are a vital part of preventive pediatric care and are valid for one year. If your child is current with their annual well-child visit, a separate sports physical may not be necessary.
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Sports Physical FAQs
Why is a child’s medical history important?
Children and parents use a medical history form to provide information about:
- Chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
- Hospitalizations or surgeries
- Past injuries such as concussions, sprains, or fractures
- Problems with dizziness, chest pain, or breathing during exercise
- Medications and supplements
- Allergies
- Family history of serious illnesses
A complete medical history helps your doctor determine if your child has a condition that sports activities might aggravate.
What Form Do I Need?
The state of Georgia requires any middle-school through high-school student who participates in sports to have a completed Georgia Sports Physical Form.
You may complete the first two pages and upload to the Patient Portal through a message prior to your appointment.
